“These Broken Roads” by Donna Marie Hayes - I was not expecting to absolutely love this story of self discovery as much as I did.
This is the true story of Jamaican born Donna - a little girl who grew up in the countryside of the Caribbean island with her grandparents, whom she called “mama” and “dada.” Left there by her mother when Donna was too small to even remember, her mother took off for New York and a new life in America, leaving Donna alone with her grandparents to grow up in Jamaica.
After a childhood that very easily could have left her broken, Donna eventually leaves the island to go live with her mother and siblings. Life in New York is not as easy as she thought it would be and she finds herself having bad relationships with multiple men, as well as with her mother. The most disturbing personal experience was with an ex-con who deceives Donna and leaves her financially and emotionally broken.
Donna writes with such passion and feeling, I actually got teary near the end when she talks about how she began to heal after going through such a difficult journey. She always looks back on the memories of her “mama” in Jamaica for strength and help repairing her heart. Her faith, the prayers of her grandmother, and her grit leads her from the countryside of Jamaica to the Bronx to the Upper East Side, but the journey her life takes her on is anything but easy. Spanning six decades of her life, Donna lives and learns, struggles, stumbles and eventually stands again. The whole book is great, but the best part is near the end when she’s talking about her healing and remembering her grandmother and the lessons she learned as a young child in Jamaica. It literally brought tears to my eyes.
I can easily give this story 5 stars. It was truly one that I would recommend to others. I look forward to more books from this author. Her life seems to be very interesting and inspirational.

A very inspirational story Of Self Discovery
This is the true story of Jamaican born Donna who is a little girl who grew up in the countryside of the Caribbean Island in Jamaica with her grandparents, whom she called “mama” and “dada.” Even though life was not easy Donna is loved and protected by both grandparents. One day her Mama tells her that her mother and older and younger sisters are returning home from America.
Her mother's visit does not last and sadly Donna is abandoned again as her mother and sisters head back to America. Donna is devastated after the visit and withdraws into herself.
Later Donna’s best friend from school betrays her when she runs in front of a car and blames Donna saying she pushed her. A police officer comes to the house to ask Donna what happened, and she is devastated by the betrayal and lies.
After growing up in a small town in Jamaca Donna’s mother informs Donna at 15 that she is buying her a ticket to move to New York, so Donna leaves the only home she has ever known. As Donna grows up, she finds herself having bad relationships with multiple men, the most disturbing being a man she met online who takes her money and her dignity when she learns he is an ex-con, and he has been playing a game with her all along.
These Broken Roads is written with passion as Donna tells of her desperate need for love and how she finds herself in three abusive relationships with men whose Donna goes on a path ofc self-discovery and rebuilds her life to survive flourish and thrive. A very inspirational story which is written from the heart and is extremely professionally written.
once you pick this book up you will find it extremely hard to put down. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is the inspirational true story of Donna Marie Hayes, her life is a journey of learning and healing!
The storyline follows Donna’s life from early childhood to surviving as an adult. Donna relies on her grandmother to teach her life skills, she moves from one disappointment to another, let down by those she trusts.
I feel for the little girl who wants to be loved, right through to the adult who is treated with contempt and lies. Donna’s has a missing-in-action mother, she is unlucky in love and finally has her life savings taken from her by the man she believed in, leaving her shattered.
I’m disheartened to hear so much about a life of loss, Donna draws strength from early memories with her grandmother, helping to reaffirm her beliefs as she struggles to overcome all that life has thrown at her. Written with honesty and heart.

Thank you to Sibylline Press, NetGalley and Donna Marie Hayes for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved reading this author's true story and trials and tribulations she went through in her marriage, relationships and the scams she had to endure . I enjoyed how she kept me on the edge of my seat by giving a history of growing up In Jamaica and family issues and her relationship with Mama, and then would jump back to current times. Very intriguing read ! I would love to read more stories surrounding her life . I was able to visualize the story as she was telling it